LG 32GK850F Monitor Review: 1440p, 144Hz, 5ms – A Gaming Powerhouse?

The gaming monitor industry is undoubtedly always changing and evolving, and as display technology improves, so will the spec lists. A good monitor is essential for gamers nowadays; one can crave tasty graphics and decent performance.

The lower 3:2 aspect ratio is probably sharper than ever, with good gaming monitors providing a competitive edge thanks to high refresh rates, low response times and crisp screen resolutions. One recently caught our attention is the LG 32GK850F monitor, packing high-end specifications at a reasonable price.

This review will deeply examine its features, performance and value for money.

LG 32GK850F Monitor: Overview

LG 32GK850F, 31.5-inch 2560 x 1440 QHD gaming monitor Some of its most prominent features include the 144Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, and FreeSync technology.

Design and Build Quality

It has an exquisite yet functional design. The actual screen size of the monitor is 31.5 inches and less than the advertised 32 inches; however, this minute difference is hardly perceptible. At just under 19 pounds, it’s lightweight, and its stand is well-designed to keep it from wobbling while you game like crazy.

It was protected with polystyrene inside the box, so it arrived perfectly. The design utilises a matte black finish with subdued red accents that look relatively modern and stylish. The monitor also features an almost bezel-less design, adding to its sleek, futuristic look, perfect for a multi-monitor setup.

Now, the LG 32GK850F shares most of the design bits of the higher-end LG 32GK850G but doesn’t come with fancy RGB lighting at the rear as the G model. Still, such a -0.1 sight screeches more expensive than the F stuff they are; which is entirely forgivable in light of what the F series is meant to be.

Performance: Resolution and Refresh Rate

An outstanding quality of the LG 32GK850F is its 144Hz refresh rate, which suits gaming well. A higher refresh rate provides smoother visuals, less motion blur, and a more immersive experience, especially in fast-paced gameplay. A 2560 x 1440 resolution offers a crisp and clear picture, ideal for gamers who want a crisp picture but don’t have bad enough hardware for 4K gaming. 1440p is the sweet spot for many folks between performance and image quality.

Although the 5ms response time is hardly class-leading, it’s good enough for a display at this price point. Response time is a unit that measures how fast a monitor can switch pixels from light to dark. A lower response time means less ghosting and less ghosting means limiting the distraction that can take fast-moving scenes out of focus. Small amounts of smearing are added in some high-speed gaming situations for the 5ms rating, but it can usually be improved with setting tweaks, like reducing the refresh rate to 120Hz.

For more details on these splits:

• Resolution: 2560 x 1440 for crisp information in gaming and productivity.
• 144Hz Refresh Rate: Perfect for smooth gaming.
• 5ms Response Time: Slow for a gaming monitor; mid-tier at best in this book.

While not the fastest, its competitive and casual gaming performance is decent.

Colour Quality and HDR Support

The LG 32GK850Fcan provided fantastic colour reproduction, given its 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut support. This means the monitor covers a broader colour spectrum, creating a more vivid, lifelike experience in games and movies. HDR support also improves this experience by adding brighter highlights and darker shadows, lending images greater dynamism.

While gaming, the HDR feature, paired with the monitor’s black stabilizer function, prevents dark scenes from looking too dark without losing detail. Whether in the heat of a first-person shooter’s combat or traversing a role-playing game’s complex landscapes, colours pop crisply on this monitor with unapologetic vibrancy, not oversaturation.

Smoothening gameplay with FreeSync Technology

If you suffer from screen tearing or stuttering while gaming, then FreeSync is a boon. It also has a technology called FreeSync, which syncs the monitor’s refresh rate and the frame rate from the graphics card, minimising input lag and avoiding tearing on the screen.

You’ll need a compatible AMD Radeon graphics card to maximise FreeSync. FreeSync was able to shine during testing with a Ryzen 3900X processor paired with a 5700 XT GPU, meaning we could benefit from its visual experience firsthand. This provided a far more seamless experience, free from tear or hitch.

User Experience and Features

It features a couple of functionalities which add to the full user experience:

• Motion Blur Reduction: Available at 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates, this feature reduces motion blur by pulsing a backlight at the same frequency as the refresh rate. It doesn’t entirely remove the effect but makes it clearer in action-heavy scenes.
• Ergonomic Stand: You can smoothly adjust the tilt/swivel/pivot/height of the stand to maintain an ergonomic posture while you work.
• Conclusion: Fair & Simple Menu Controls y ES: Setting up the monitor is simple with the joystick-style button in the bottom middle of the front. A clean layout that makes it easy to adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and gaming modes on the fly.

Inputs and Connectivity

Ports: The LG 32GK850F has a good selection of ports on the back but no USB Type-C support. It features:

1. 2 HDMI ports
2. 1 DisplayPort
3. 3 USB 3.0 ports

The DisplayPort is best for gamers seeking the highest quality displays, and USB 3.0 ports are provided for fast charging and service connectivity. No USB Type-C is a slight downside, but nothing this range needs to worry about.

Hands-On Results: Gaming Performance

In practice testing, the LG 32GK850F was a great gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. The 5ms response time does lead to some minimal ghosting in a few fast-moving games, but we found that reducing the refresh rate to 120Hz mitigated this issue. Enable FreeSync and HDR; everything felt buttery, smoother, and visually stunning.

The monitor delivered sharp images with vibrant colours and buttery smooth gameplay in demanding games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Call of Duty: Warzone. This is especially beneficial in FPS games, and the black stabilizer did a good job of reducing grayscale annoying black spots.

Is the LG 32GK850F a Good Value?

If you’re looking for a competent gaming monitor that strikes the right balance between performance and price, the LG 32GK850F could be the one for you. The impressive 144Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, FreeSync support, and bright, colourful reproduction of visuals make it an excellent option for casual or competitive gamers.

It only lacks some higher-end features, like RGB lighting like the one on its G series or USB Type-C, but it certainly offers excellent value for its price. The spacious 31.5-inch screen is great for gaming and productivity, and its design is sleek enough to blend in with any office environment.

The LG 32GK850F is worth considering if you’re looking for a no-frills, affordable gaming monitor with excellent features and performance. In addition, it has an outstanding balance of smooth gameplay, colour accuracy, and ergonomic adjustments, providing a comfortable viewing experience for gamers who want a good quality display for their buck.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the LG 32GK850F is one of the best gaming monitors on the market, offering outstanding performance, beautiful colours, and an immersive experience. With a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and HDR support, it is a substantial investment for any gamer. With a slightly slower response time, it ranks amongst our best value picks for this category and is easily one of the best gaming monitors.